US Troops Grab Iraq Hotel Attack Suspects in Raids: "U.S. troops in overnight raids captured12 people in Iraq suspected of involvement in a deadly attackon a Baghdad hotel where U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary PaulWolfowitz was staying, a top commander said on Saturday. (Reuters)"

Syria says Bush sincere at Mideast effort: "Syria does not doubt that President Bush is sincere in his urging a more stable Middle East but believes his policies are spoiling American relations with Arabs and Muslims worldwide, a Syrian Cabinet minister said Saturday."

Iraq war newsAttacks continue as U.S. raids Tikrit: "Insurgents kept up attacks on U.S. troops and their allies across Iraq on Saturday despite a show of force in Saddam Hussein's hometown following the crash of a Black Hawk helicopter that apparently was shot down."

Arafat, prime minister meet over Cabinet: "Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat met Saturday with Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia in an effort to finalize a new Palestinian Cabinet, which has been in limbo for weeks amid a dispute between the two leaders."

S.Korea Combat Iraq Troops Seen as Still Possible: "The Bush administration hasreaffirmed its interest in having South Korea send combattroops to Iraq and believes Seoul is still actively consideringthe deployment, a senior U.S. official said. (Reuters)"

Slowdown: " My updates will likely be less frequent than usual for the next few weeks or so; I am doing lots of stuff for school, applying to colleges, etc. Lucky for you, lots of new blogs keep cropping up, and some of them are really good. Two new additions to the blogroll recently: Dohiyi Mir and Mercury23x, both worth bookmarking. And..."

U.S. Discussing New International Peacekeeping Force: "The U.S. government has beguninternal discussions about the possible creation of a U.S.-ledinternational force capable of taking on peacekeeping duties inworld hot-spots such as Iraq and Afghanistan, a senior Armyofficer said. (Reuters)"

Israelis try to block prisoner swap: "The daughter of missing Israeli air force navigator Ron Arad accused Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of abandoning her father as the family made a last-ditch effort to block a prisoner swap with Lebanese guerrillas that does not address Arad's fate."

n her first public statements since her rescue in Iraq, Jessica Lynch criticized the military for exaggerating accounts of her rescue and re-casting her ordeal as a patriotic fable. Asked by the ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer if the military's portrayal of the rescue bothered her, Ms. Lynch said: "Yeah, it does. It does that they used me as a way to symbolize all this stuff. Yeah, it's wrong," according to a partial transcript of the interview to be broadcast on Tuesday.

After months of retreating from the news media, Ms. Lynch will be a ubiquitous presence next week. In addition to her appearance on ABC, she will be on the cover of Time magazine, and NBC will broadcast a movie based on an Iraqi's account of her ordeal. On Tuesday, the book publisher Knopf will release an account of her experience, "I Am a Soldier, Too," written with her cooperation by a former reporter for The New York Times, Rick Bragg. The book and the movie are unrelated and tell different versions of Ms. Lynch's story, but the publisher has timed the book to capitalize on publicity from the television movie.

Media and entertainment: In what other industries can the public be so easily treated to unrelated and different versions of a particular story, with no apparent self consciousness or shame? Oh yeah, I forgot: Finance and accounting. Oh ? and law. Well ? never mind."

Iraq War NewsStolen Iraq artifacts recovered in raid: "In a joint raid, U.S. soldiers and Iraqi policemen recovered two of the most important artifacts looted from the Iraqi National Museum following the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime, a coalition spokesman said Thursday."

Iraq UpdatesSecret Israel missile-test video breached: "In a rare breach of military security, portions of a secret Israeli missile test could be seen on television across the Arab world after the company conducting the exercise apparently failed to encrypt its video transmission."

A Look at U.S. Daily Deaths in Iraq: "As of Wednesday, Nov. 5, 379 U.S. service members have died since the beginning of military operations in Iraq, according to the Department of Defense. The department did not provide an update Thursday. (AP)"

Death Toll in Iraq Helicopter Attack Rises to 16: "The U.S. military said the deathtoll of Sunday's downing of an American military Chinookhelicopter in Iraq had risen to 16 after a soldier seriouslywounded in the attack died on Thursday. (Reuters)"

Army: Helicopter Had Defensive System: "The Army helicopter shot down over Iraq last weekend apparently had a last-second warning of an approaching missile and managed to launch flares designed to draw the heat-seeking missile away, a senior Army official said Thursday. (AP)"

Army Dismisses Soldier Cowardice Charge: "The Army dismissed a cowardice charge and filed a lesser count against an Army interrogator who sought counseling after he saw the body of an Iraqi man cut in half by American fire. (AP)"

Iraq Tried Last-Minute Deal to Avoid War: "Negotiators for Saddam Hussein tried to strike a last-minute deal with the Bush administration to avoid an invasion after realizing "the threat was real," a Lebanese-American businessman who tried to serve as a go-between said Thursday. (AP)"

L.A. Times Bans 'Resistance Fighters' in Iraq News: "The Los Angeles Times has orderedits reporters to stop describing anti-American forces in Iraqas "resistance fighters," saying the term romanticizes them andevokes World War II-era heroism. (Reuters)"

U.S. ponders forming Iraq security force: "The U.S. administrator of Iraq agrees in principle with the idea of creating an Iraqi security force, but doesn't know if Iraqi advocates of the plan will agree to his terms, a coalition spokesman said Wednesday."

Army eyes replacing Halliburton in Iraq: "The Army said Wednesday it is negotiating to replace Vice President Dick Cheney's former company as an importer of oil products into Iraq, but denied that the talks were related to Democratic allegations of price gouging by Halliburton."

U.S. Plans for Marines to Return to Iraq: "The Marine Corps, which played a central role in toppling Saddam Hussein last spring, will return to Iraq as part of a U.S. troop rotation approved by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on Wednesday, officials said. (AP)"

U.S. to Call Up Thousands of Troops for Iraq Duty: "U.S. defense officials said onWednesday the Pentagon would begin ordering thousands of freshtroops to prepare for service in Iraq, on a day guerrillaslaunched a series of attacks on U.S. troops on northern Iraq. (Reuters)"

U.S. Faces Troop Pressure As Turkey Balks: "In a major setback to U.S. efforts to attract military help in Iraq, a Turkish official said Tuesday his country won't send peacekeeping troops without a significant change in the situation there. That makes it virtually certain the United States will have to send thousands more U.S. reservists early next year. (AP)"

Bush: Saddam 'Trying to Stir Up Trouble': "Facing rising casualties in Iraq, President Bush said Tuesday that Saddam Hussein is "trying to stir up trouble" for the American-led occupation but vowed that the United States will track him down. (AP)"

UN Iraq envoy, security chief put on leave: "The UN's top envoy in Iraq and its global security chief have been relieved of their duties pending a review of security lapses before the August bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad, a spokesman said. (AFP)"

Egyptian Students Protest Iraq War: "More than 3,000 university students on Tuesday held Egypt's largest protest since the end of major fighting in Iraq, denouncing the U.S. occupation of Iraq and Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. (AP)"

Where The Wounded Go: "Since the war started, a busy military hospital in Germany has treated more than 7,700 U.S. troops wounded in Iraq. And, as CBS News' Mark Phillips reports, the casualty rates haven't fallen off ? they just keep coming."

Another anti-Saddam judge shot dead in Iraq: "An Iraqi judge tasked with investigating officials of the ousted regime of president Saddam Hussein was shot dead in the northern city of Mosul, in the second such killing in 24 hours, Iraqi police said. (AFP)"

Members of the Arkansas Army National Guard unit in Paris departed Sunday for Fort Hood, Texas, and eventual deployment in Iraq after an emotional farewell with some 300 family and friends.

The 50-man Paris unit, Battery B, 1-206th Field Artillery, is part of the AANG’s 39th Infantry Brigade, which was called to active duty in September.

The brigade, composed of about 3,000 troops from 46 National Guard units across the state, will train at Fort Hood for six months before being deployed for up to one year in Iraq, according to an AANG news release.

Family members and friends mingled with the troops in a parking lot in front of the National Guard Armory in Paris before the 8:30 a.m. Sunday departure.

“I hate to see him go, but I’m glad he’s serving his country. I’m proud of him,” Paris City Council member David Rhineheart said of his son, Marcus Rhineheart.

“I’m feeling a whole lot of sadness right now,” Paris Police Department patrolman Charlie Reames said. His son, Mark Reames, is a member of the unit. “I don’t want him to go, but it’s like he said, this is what he signed up to do. I’m real proud of him.”

Capt. Brad Johns of North Little Rock, commander of the unit, took note of the differing feelings.

“It’s kind of mixed emotions right now,” he said. “Everything is ready to go, we’re prepared and we’re going to be in good shape. Leaving the families is going to be the hardest part of this whole deal.”

Of the unit’s 50 men, 10 left in October for Fort Hood. The 40 that remained traveled to the Army base in private vehicles or on a chartered bus. They arrived at Fort Hood Sunday night.

There has been no official word as to where the unit will be deployed once it arrives in Iraq, probably in February or March. There were, however, clues as to the location and potential mission inside the empty Armory Sunday.

For example, on a bulletin board in front of the classroom was tacked a map of Iraq and next to it was posted a map of Baghdad. Inside the classroom, a board sat on an easel. Written on the board were the words, “Handling of Enemy Personnel at the Squad Level.” Posted above the door to the classroom was a sign that read “Is your equipment ready for combat? Are you?”

The Paris Guard unit is one of two in Logan County that have been activated.

The 39th Infantry Brigade will be joined by a battalion of soldiers from the Oregon National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade. The units will join the Army’s First Cavalry Division, according to the AANG news release.

For the Paris-based unit, this is the first mobilization to federal service since the Korean War in the early 1950s. Individual unit members were mobilized during the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War but the unit was not mobilized.

Severe Copter Injuries Treated in Germany: "Sixteen American soldiers hurt in a deadly attack on their helicopter in Iraq on Sunday are being treated at a military hospital for broken bones, spinal fractures, burns and other injuries."

In Die-Hard City, G.I.'s Are Enemy: "Loathing for the American occupiers of Iraq looms everywhere in Falluja, where the recent downing of an American helicopter prompted celebrations from many of the locals."

Congress OKs $87.5B for Iraq, Afghanistan: "Congress voted its final approval Monday for $87.5 billion for U.S. military operations and aid in Iraq and Afghanistan, a day after Americans in Iraq endured their worst casualties since March. (AP)"

Iranian Filmmakers Return Home From Iraq: "Two Iranian filmmakers received heroes' welcomes on their arrival in Tehran Monday after being held by U.S.-led coalition forces in neighboring Iraq for four months on suspicion of spying. (AP)"

Troops Heading Home When Attack Struck: "Karina Lau was hoping to surprise her family in California with a two-week furlough from Iraq. Ernest Bucklew was headed home for his mother's funeral in Pennsylvania. (AP)"

U.S. Soldier Dies in Iraq as Bush Says 'No Retreat': "Faced with a mounting military andcivilian death toll and stiffening guerrilla resistance,President Bush vowed on Monday that the United States would notrun from its "vital" mission in Iraq. (Reuters)"

U.S. Paying for Iraq Intelligence Blunders: "BAGHDAD, Nov 3 (IPS) -- U.S. intelligence-gathering operations are being called into question after the devastating attacks on the weekend and the rocket attacks and suicide bombings rocking Baghdad and other cities almost every day. To many Iraqis in the know, and even among Coalition officials, the answer is clear. (OneWorld.net)"

Hippercritical's Iraq Report: Nov 3/03: "Welcome! Our goal is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. Our " Winds of War " coverage of the global War on Terror is a separate briefing today, and both are brought to you by Glenn Halpern of HipperCritical . TOP TOPICS

Other Topics Today Include: Post-war Iraq progress reports from different angles; Powell takes it easy on the Red Cross and UN; Syria's diplomatic blunder; Iraqis continue to settle old scores; Which cards have we captured; Support the Toy Drive; Support the Troops; Wanted: human shields. read the rest..."

Two militants killed in Mecca shootout: "Police battled militants in the streets of the holy city of Mecca on Monday, killing two of the suspects and uncovering a large cache of weapons, the state news agency reported."

White House: Resolve in Iraq 'unshakable': "This country's determination to prevail in Iraq is "unshakable" despite the downing of an Army helicopter that killed 16 U.S. soldiers, the White House says. Democrats called the assault a fresh illustration of faulty postwar planning."

GIs treated after chopper strike kills 16: "Sixteen U.S. soldiers arrived in Germany on Monday for treatment at an American military hospital after being wounded in the downing of a U.S. Army Chinook helicopter, which killed 16 and injured four others."

Iraqi superstar singer hits Kuwaiti market: "Audiotapes by Iraq's superstar singer Kazem al-Saher have at last reached Kuwait after the government allowed them to go on sale, the information minister confirmed. (AFP)"

Iraq war newsVictims Were Heading Home For R&R: "The deadly missile attack on a pair of Chinook helicopters came on the first day of a stepped-up rest and recreation program. Troops from bases in Colorado, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Texas were aboard."

Iraq's neighbors call for border control: "Arab, Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers condemned terrorist bombings in Iraq and called on Iraqi officials to cooperate on border control Sunday after talks on the Iraqi crisis - which Baghdad's interim authority boycotted."

"We're coming with a mighty force to end the reign of your
oppressors," Bush said, addressing Iraqis who might be
listening from afar. "We are coming to bring you food and
medicine and a better life. And we are coming and we will
not stop, we will not relent until your country is free."
We are very proud of you,Keep your helmet on!

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